Bob's Blog

My Abuelita was not a large person; for she was barely five feet.
Nevertheless, she took care of my brothers and I when we were young on 38th Street.
Recalling those days of my youth,
Of walking into our home from school and smelling the sweet savory smell of beans brewing
Meant a big bowl of them was waiting along with the best homemade tortillas, and plenty of mantequia!

Peculiar now how the smell of garlic or beans cooking, evokes such warm, vivid thoughts of her now.
She would always know and could see right through us when we did something wrong,
But she could make us stop by giving us that look and simply curling up her brow.
I now realize that she did everything to keep us safe, I must confess,
That we did not know it then, but now feel that with her, we were truly blessed.

I still vividly recall how one summer as a young boy, she told me that my Grandpa was so young when at thirty-nine he had died; that I was barely 3 months old when the Lord had taken him aside.
So upset that I never knew him; I remember I started crying, and felt terribly sad.
But she dried my tears, and said I would see him one day.
Since she passed years ago, I thought today, my Grandma and Grandpa are re-living their youth in heaven together, dancing eternity away.

Robert Collazo, 10/30/08   [Mantequia = Butter]

Long ago on Calaveras Lake the day started beautiful with that break of dawn,
When my brothers Frank, and Eddie and myself started fishing that day
All we could talk about was the big fish we might catch,
However, we just never expected to face death that day in that big lake.

We thought we had quite a boat some would call “Jon” that made us proud,
Thinking back then that at a full twelve foot, our boat was nice and sleek as a pearl that day,
Nevertheless, we fished for a while and while I don’t recall catching much, I do recall that suddenly the day clouded, and the wind started,
And we just never expected to face death that day in that big lake.

We knew we needed to get to shore, and just like that, it started getting dark,
We could now see white caps, with the wind getting stronger and whipping us about, the situation now was getting stark,
Looking on shore, we saw a bolt of lightning throw sparks,
We just never expected to face death that day on that big lake.

With water coming in the boat now, Frank yelled to prepare, and to tie the tackle gear to the anchor,
I am sure that we all silently realized that the boat would soon be flooded; and the closest landing was still far away,
We all quietly prayed,
For we just never expected to face death that day on that big lake.

Thinking back now it all seems like a blur, when the boat got submerged,
We all dove in the water, and started swimming to shore,
I coughed and spit out water, saw I was still 50 yards out, and felt I might not make it.
Still I kept trying to keep my head above water, I felt so tired & hopeless, but then saw my brothers from shore cheering me on, don’t you know,
But soon I was under, so surreal, like I was drowning in slow motion real slow,
I felt like in a trance when suddenly my brother Eddie had me; and Frank and him pulled me to shore,
I remember lying on the rocks, knew I had been saved, & felt so serene, like with a heavenly glow.

For never did we expect to face death that day on that “Calaveras” lake.

Robert Collazo, 10/25/08.  [Calaveras = Spanish word for "skull bones".]

I hear you’re stressed, and sick and tired.
You’ve been working like a maniac, and getting bogged down & mired.
You’ve been writing agency guidelines
When you feel you should be on the sidelines.
And now your brain is toast, and feel you’ve done the most.
However, do not get stressed on me, Kay.

Now we all know stress can make us feel the worst,
Like finding yourself completely frazzled.
Surely you know it’s not worth it for a little spotlight dazzle.
You must now make time to sit back, unwind, and make the most,
Moreover, do not get stressed on me, Kay.

Now most of us have that special place that we go to when we’re drained.
So now it is time for you to know, and for you to get it in your brain,
And tell yourself you’ve done the most, and done the best you can.
So relax and tell a joke and think of good times past,
Then just say to your boss – “No Mas!”

Robert Collazo, written on 4/5/07, and modified on 10/25/08.  ["No Mas" = No More!]

She handles the toughest issues,
And makes it all look simple.
Yet you wonder how she is able to do it,
With nary a complaint or whimper.

With all the budget & other stuff to do,
She takes it all in stride,
And keeps coming back for more,
And always gets it right.

She’s always there to give,
When people ask her for assistance.
Straight as ever, and not one to fail,
Yet she’ll think she’s done no pittance.

But you will have to confess to everyone
That Temetha did it all!

Robert Collazo, written on 8/7/07 and modified on 4/29/08

It all started when my Dad was born sweet off the vine in ’29,
He was the seventh of eleven children.
He would give you his lunch, and would not whine
If you needed it more than he.
For you see my Dad could not stand things not to be right, you see.

Dad was a product of the depression in Texas,
However, he did not know what it was to be poor
Because even though he knew his family did not have any money, he always felt secure
By just knowing that he had his big family’s love for sure.

In his youth during the summer months,
My Dad would work as a gardener, then later as a chauffeur.
By then, he was lean and tall and could charm all the pretty women,
Nevertheless, he had his sights set on one special Lady named Maria.

My Mom had come from a family of two,
She grew up playing the piano, learning manners, etiquette, and all that stuff,
She went to high school and did agree to date and pursue,
The skinny young Collazo that she knew.

My Dad married my Mom; then Dad needed a trade, and soon learned to be a plumber.
He was good with his tools and his hands,
Like his Father before him, he enjoyed carpentry, and such,
He always had some project going that would involve us kids to assist much.

Soon all four boys were all in school,
My Dad and Mom would run Bingos and festivals at St. John Bosco and Holy Cross.
These school festivals would never lose money when My Dad would grill the best barbeque and schishkabobs,
They would both sweat and toil to ensure we had the best schooling to ensure we got the best jobs.

For not only did My Dad and Mom ensure that we had food at our table and a roof over our heads,
But they taught us virtues; to do what was right, to be fair, and to be kind to all folks they said,
My Brothers and I always saw this by their example of the good and honest life that they led.
My Mom is very much our protector, our guardian, our root; but Dad made us feel strong and stable, for he is our rock, our huge beautiful Oak tree overhead.

So time marched on and the four boys eventually grew into men, and went their separate ways.
They have gone on to lead successful lives of their own,
As a plumber, a teacher, a doctor, and even a “chicken checker”, as my Brother Frank would say.
Nevertheless, the Sons would not have been able to do this if it were not for their strong love homegrown
That my Dad and my Mom all those years had readily shown.

Robert Collazo, written on 10/23/08; edited on 10/29/08 & 2/9/09.

Life can sometimes be a bear.
It can fill us with rapture; it can make us tingle and shiver.
Bittersweet and cold sometimes, life sometimes makes us not care.
Yet Life can sometimes be like chocolate, so sweet and can make us quiver.

As you know, the emotions of Life can vary greatly in heights.
Through the laughter and the wine, through the tears and bitter fights
We have all been there; we have felt it.
From the incredible joy, that can make us feel neat,
Through all the pain, life is truly remarkable.
Live your life to the fullest, and try to make it sweet.

So do not make it melancholy, & do not be bad.
For you don’t know how long we have
Live life to the fullest, and try to be happy not sad
Make the most of Life while you can.

Robert Collazo, written on 10/22/08

My Friend Lauren just told me that an early October frost has just moved in,
In addition, that her summer vegetable patch was getting thin.
She said she had already pulled out her winter clothes, PJs, and such,
However, was still looking forward to some deep-sea fishing coming up.

Now Lauren with her lovable New York accent blaring right in your ear,
She will laugh and she will joke with you, and make you feel at home.
With her beautiful personality sticking out really clear,
Then she will just tell you – “Get Outa Here!”

Lauren tells me of her Pony, Westie Pesty, giving her a whinny from down the road.
She knows when the head butts start, her pony is looking for his fruit and things,
For the horse knows that she has pocketfuls of granola, cookies, and such,
Westie Pesty is just a “lap pony,” but goes so fast she would swear he had wings.

Now some things may bring Lauren down, for everyone has stress in their life.
Nevertheless, she goes to yoga for relaxation, and does not let things get her down,
She will just go “with the flow,” even at the office, with all the cases, and all the strife.
For you know that is our Lauren, never giving up, she just hangs on for dear life!

Robert Collazo, 10/22/08

The El Paso moon was bright that night,
When my Little Man came to be.
I thanked the Lord he was alive,
Yet so tiny, and such a sight to see,
My Little Man.

Since he was early,
He would not only survive,
But to the fullest he did thrive.
My Little Man.

Somehow, I thought of him back then in haste
That my Little Man would always be.
Nevertheless, the sands of time have erased
For my Little Man has grown and
My Little Man no more is he.

There have been so many proud moments
He has accomplished so much of life’s goals.
He has grown with much wisdom, righteousness, and knowledge,
Makes you wonder just how fast time has slipped away.
My beautiful Man, my Son.

Robert Collazo, written on 9/24/08

Seems like the miles go on forever,
When going to Lubbock, so you swear.
But don’t doubt for a second, however
That you won’t enjoy the scenery getting there.

From vast open spaces,
To even windmill traces,
The whole scene just embraces you
To the good Lord’s vast graces.

From valleys’ to mesas’
And everything in between.
You wish life was as serene,
Almost to the time when you were seventeen.

Where did life get so rushed?
So when the world throws you blunders,
Take a deep breath and take a ride out to Lubbock,
And take in all of this world’s wonders.

Robert Collazo, written on 02/21/08

There once was a cool cat named Joel,
Who I know pretty well,
Good fortune he had in casinos & such.
He made all the rounds and gave them all hell.

Now Joel was pretty sharp witted
With high taste he emitted.
At home he remodeled and slashed,
At work his computer it crashed.

Now Joel, you hang on ‘cause someday when we’re all gone and retired,
Maybe we’ll all get together and inquire,
To think and reminisce,
And discuss the storms we weathered in our line of fire.

We’ll all drink Coronas and limes,
And toast on the coast
To think back to the days and the times,
When life was not all merry & nice.

We’ll discuss that throughout our careers and all of the years,
We’d all be grateful that we all kept in touch and stayed very near.
For we all knew in our hearts,
That someday we’d get through it, no matter our fear.

Remembering the times
Like fine mellow wines,
We’d relish them all, and look back through the tears,
To the days and the times and months & the years.

So Joel, take a deep breath, for at our reunion we’ll laugh and connive,
And know we survived.
Surely by then we’ll know that everything in life really has just been a test
So that at the sunset of our lives
We’d look back, and know we really were the best!

Robert Collazo  (written on 4/16/08)